Minding Our Elders

Minding Our Elders Blog

An fit-looking older man sits in a comfortable chair. He's wearing a dark collared cardigan over a white golf style shirt, We shee his lighter brown pantsleg on whiche one had rests. He's golding a phone to his ear with the other hand, and by his expression, enjoying the conversation. This gentleman has light skin, are receding hairline with closely cut gray hoir on the sides, and he wears modern wire-rimmed glasses.

Maintaining a Sense of Purpose Relieves Loneliness and Lowers Dementia Risk

Dear Carol: I’m worried about my healthy, recently retired father. He had a high-energy, social personality so his successful sales career suited him. When...

This indoor image shows two empty closets in the background. The walls are white. In the foreground we see piles of boxes taped with brown straping tape. Some boxes are white, others normal brown.

Downsizing Tips for Seniors Who Are Moving to Assisted Living

For most seniors, moving from a long-term home into an assisted living facility is difficult. For some, it’s nearly paralyzing. In addition to countless...

This indoor image has a paned window in the background. One the lesft is an older man with gray hair and glasses. He's wearing a green cardigan and a navy and white checked shirt. His expression is happy and he's holding a peach. One the right is a younger woman who is also smiling and holding a peach. She has medium length dark blonde hair, glasses, and is wearing a tuquouise blouse.

4 Things to Consider Before Moving Aging Parents in With You

Decades ago, it was fairly common to have grandparents living with family and it often worked well. It did for my family. My parents...

This indoor iage shows brown blinds in the background that are tilted open. One the window ledge sits a small lit lamp. There is a dramatic feather and dried plant arrangement in the corner by the window. A brown, tufted couch is visible on the left with a matching love seat on the right. A coffee table between olds a glass ornament.

Making an Assisted Living Apartment Feel Like Home

While change is difficult for people of all ages, deviating from the status quo seems to become even more taxing as we get older...

The background shows vertical blinds half open showing a night view. In the foreground, we see a lit, goosenecked floor lamp, the top of an easy chair and a table with an arrangement on it.

What to Look for When Visiting an Elder in Senior Housing

So, you and your loved one have taken the plunge. You’ve put in the time and effort to research senior housing options, take tours...

This indoor image shows an open door in the background with a large plant barely in view. In the foreground is a young mane with dark hair and a beard and wearing a white short-sleeved shirt standing over an older man feeling his forehead. The older man is Black. He has gray hair and is lying in bed. We see his pajama-clad arm laying on top of the white sheet.

Breaking the News That a Loved One is Going on Hospice Care

When the paperwork was finally signed to get hospice care for my dad, I was grateful. There would now be a routine of care...

This indoor office image shows gray walls and a widow in the background. A Black woman with curly hair has one hand on the wall by the window and with the other arm draped to her side. Shes' wearing a white buttoned up cartigan. We see two silver topped opened laptops on a table with arms of their users just visible. One has a hand, palm up, in front as if explaining something.

Should You Quit Your Job To Care for Your Elderly Parent?

As parents age and need more assistance, most adult children do what they can to help. For many, the first step is a weekly...

this is a very close image of an older woman with whispy white hair, medium framed plastic rimmed glasses and a serious expression. Her white top is barely visible.

Delirium After an Older Adult’s Hospitalization Is a Legitimate Concern

Dear Carol: My 95-year-old mom was recently hospitalized for pneumonia. While there, she developed delirium and didn’t even know the family. The hospital staff...

This indoor image shows a Native American woman in a gray turtleneck sweater. She faces us with an exasperated expression, hands held in front with open palms facing upward. Her hair is salt and pepper with tails of hair pulled over each shoulder.

How to Survive Caring for Multiple Elders at the Same Time

When Caregivers Are Pulled in Too Many Directions: Every caregiver is familiar with the constant nagging feeling that something or someone in their life...

Coping With the Decision to Put Your Parent in Assisted Living or in a Nursing Home

Guilt is one emotion that every family caregiver will experience at some point during their journey. When you take on responsibility for another person,...